Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a leading intergovernmental forum dedicated to advancing economic growth, trade, investment and regional cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. Established to promote open markets and sustainable development, APEC operates on the basis of non-binding commitments, consensus decision-making and voluntary implementation, distinguishing it from treaty-based multilateral institutions.

APEC brings together 21 member economies spanning the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, the United States and several Southeast Asian and Latin American economies. Through dialogue, policy coordination and capacity-building initiatives, APEC works to strengthen regional integration, improve supply chain connectivity and support inclusive and sustainable economic development.

The APEC Secretariat, headquartered in Singapore, serves as the organisation’s core administrative and coordination body. It provides technical, advisory and project management support to member economies and oversees more than 250 APEC-funded initiatives each year, while administering the forum’s annual budget and supporting communications and public outreach.